Based on the Stephen Potter "One Upmanship" and "Lifemanship" books, Henry Palfrey tries hard to impress but always loses out to the rotter Delauney. Then he discovers the Lifeman college ...
See full summary »
Our TV picks this week include a rebellious historical drama, a fresh voice in comedy, and an ideal teen romance.
Related News
-
Cads Of The First Water! A ‘Mortdecai’ Feature
23 January 2015 | The Hollywood News -
In praise of Robert Hamer
19 October 2012 | The Guardian - Film News -
The guileless charm of Ian Carmichael | Peter Bradshaw
08 February 2010 | The Guardian - TV News
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: School for Scoundrels (1960)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Learn more
More Like This
The Green Man
(1956)
Comedy
Directors:
Robert Day,
Basil Dearden
Stars:
Alastair Sim,
George Cole,
Terry-Thomas
I'm All Right Jack
(1959)
Comedy
Director:
John Boulting
Stars:
Ian Carmichael,
Terry-Thomas,
Peter Sellers
Blue Murder at St. Trinian's
(1957)
Comedy
Director:
Frank Launder
Stars:
Terry-Thomas,
George Cole,
Joyce Grenfell
An Inspector Calls
(1954)
Crime
|
Drama
|
Mystery
Director:
Guy Hamilton
Stars:
Alastair Sim,
Arthur Young,
Olga Lindo
Too Many Crooks
(1959)
Comedy
|
Crime
Director:
Mario Zampi
Stars:
Terry-Thomas,
George Cole,
Brenda de Banzie
Comedy
Director:
Frank Launder
Stars:
Alastair Sim,
Margaret Rutherford,
John Turnbull
Two Way Stretch
(1960)
Comedy
|
Crime
Director:
Robert Day
Stars:
Peter Sellers,
David Lodge,
Bernard Cribbins
Laughter in Paradise
(1951)
Comedy
Director:
Mario Zampi
Stars:
Alastair Sim,
Fay Compton,
Guy Middleton
Your Past Is Showing
(1957)
Comedy
Director:
Mario Zampi
Stars:
Terry-Thomas,
Peter Sellers,
Peggy Mount
Make Mine Mink
(1960)
Comedy
Director:
Robert Asher
Stars:
Terry-Thomas,
Athene Seyler,
Hattie Jacques
Hue and Cry
(1947)
Adventure
|
Comedy
|
Crime
Director:
Charles Crichton
Stars:
Alastair Sim,
Frederick Piper,
Harry Fowler
Big Time Operators
(1957)
Comedy
Director:
Basil Dearden
Stars:
Virginia McKenna,
Bill Travers,
Margaret Rutherford
Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Ian Carmichael | ... | Henry Palfrey | |
| Terry-Thomas | ... | Raymond Delauney | |
| Alastair Sim | ... | Mr. S. Potter | |
| Janette Scott | ... | April Smith | |
| Dennis Price | ... | Dunstan | |
| Peter Jones | ... | Dudley | |
| Edward Chapman | ... | Gloatbridge | |
| John Le Mesurier | ... | Head Waiter | |
| Irene Handl | ... | Mrs. Stringer | |
 |
Kynaston Reeves | ... | General |
| Hattie Jacques | ... | 1st Instructress | |
|
|
Hugh Paddick | ... | Instructor |
| Barbara Roscoe | ... | 2nd Instructress | |
|
|
Gerald Campion | ... | Proudfoot |
|
|
Monte Landis | ... | Fleetsnod (as Monty Landis) |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
See All (18) »
Storyline
Based on the Stephen Potter "One Upmanship" and "Lifemanship" books, Henry Palfrey tries hard to impress but always loses out to the rotter Delauney. Then he discovers the Lifeman college run by "Professor" Potter and discovers the secrets of success. But has he the courage to put all his lessons into effect? Written by Steve Crook <steve@brainstorm.co.uk>
Plot Keywords:
london england | romantic rivalry | lifemanship | clothesmanship | partymanship |Taglines:
Or how to win without actually cheating See more »Genres:
ComedyParents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
24 March 1960 (UK) See more »Also Known As:
School for Scoundrels or How to Win Without Actually Cheating See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound Recording)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1
Edit
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The 'Bellini' sports car driven by Terry-Thomas in the film is in reality the actual Aston Martin DB3S which was once driven by Sterling Moss in the Mila Migilia and has been valued recently at £7 million. See more »Goofs
The neon sign outside the restaurant is wrongly spelled "Camelia Room". The menu shows the correct spelling, Camellia. See more »Quotes
Mr. Potter: Just remember, if you're not one up on the other fellow, then he's one up on you.See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
Explore popular action and adventure titles available to stream with Prime Video.
I first saw this film about ten years ago and in that time I must have seen it two hundred times.It stands for everything great in British comedy.It tells the story of a young man who always seems to come a cropper in the lifeman stakes.He joins classes for one-upmanship and turns into an arrogant idiot.
Alastair Sim is at his lugrubious best.Terry-Thomas plays the bounder to a tee with some wonderful lines.If I have one gripe it's the casting of Ian Carmichael in the lead role.Leslie Philips would have been much better But that's a personal choice.
Now I'm off to watch it again for the two hundred and first time!